Last year, the MI6 Conference entertained attendees in San Francisco with the esoteric goal of bestowing not the creators of games with awards and recognition, but rather the marketers of games. The organization that produced the awards show and conference program, Promax/BDA, did an admirable job of creating instant credibility by wrangling Microsoft exec Peter Moore to helm the MI6 board of directors.

　　Last year's inaugural event scored a solid B in attracting name marketers, publishers, and analysts--both as speakers on stage and attendees.

　　But will the show go on?

　　Yesterday, that question was raised after TV Week ran an unsourced story saying that Promax/BDA president and CEO Jim Chabin had been placed on indefinite leave. Chabin had tirelessly promoted the show and, for most of the game industry, was the show's most prominent and articulate spokesperson.

　　With the MI6 Conference fast approaching on May 9, 2007, GameSpot sought clarification on what Chabin's departure, if true, would mean for the upcoming event.

　　The organization's executive vice president, Stephen McCarthy, today confirmed Chabin's status as being on leave but said there was no impact on the show. "It's business as usual" for the MI6 event, he said. The event's board remains on track for a February 16 meeting, and the organization is on a fast track to locate judges for its awards.

　　McCarthy said marketing consultant Lee Hunt has stepped in temporarily for Chabin.